Criminal/Traffic Division: 507-375-1236 ext 4
The Criminal Traffic Division handles all traffic within Watonwan County as well as all criminal charges brought by the County Attorney and by individual City Prosecutors. This includes everything from traffic infractions, to murder, to DWI, to trespassing.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
- How much is my fine?
Click here to view a schedule of fines and fees. Please note this is only a partial listing of payable offenses. Please call 507-375-1236 prior to the court date written on the citation/ticket if your violation is not listed in the schedule.
- What is the sentence?
The sentence depends on the level of the offense.
- A petty misdemeanor is a maximum of a $300.00 fine
- A misdemeanor is a $1000.00 and/or 90 days in jail
- A gross misdemeanor is $3000.00 and 1 year in jalil
- A felony is no less than 1 year and 1 day and it goes up from that depending on the charge
- What is my court date?
This is assigned by the officer on the citation or at the first appearance in court.
- Can I get an extension to pay my fine?
Extensions are granted. Arraignments can be continued 30 days to pay the fine. Extensions beyond that are handled through our screener/collector.
- How do I change my court date?
Arraignments, Rule 5, and Rule 8 hearings can be continued by our office one time only for one week; requests for further continuances on these hearings and all other types of hearings must be agreed to by the prosecuting attorney and approved by the Court. These requests must be made in writing.
- How do I get to the Court House?
Click here to view directions.
- What do I do to get my driver's license back? It is suspended.
If the suspension is for an unpaid fine, the defendant must pay the fine. If it is suspended by the State for too many violations or some other reason, the defendant must contact the State at (651) 296-6911.
- I have a warrant, what do I do?
The defendant has a couple of choices. He or she may post bail at their local law enforcement agency or at the Watonwan County Sheriff's department and obtain a new date from them at that time. They could also turn themselves in and wait to be brought up to Court to see the judge.
- How do I get copies of paperwork in a file?
The copies can be requested by letter or in person. The copies must be paid for before they are issued. The cost is $8.00 per copy for each filed document or $14.00 per copy if it needs to be a certified copy of the original.
- How do I get police reports?
This request is made to the prosecuting attorney's office.
- How do I do a criminal history check?
Our office has a public terminal that the public can be used to do criminal history checks. If documents are needed from a file, our office will provide the necessary copies at a charge.
- Does "someone" have a warrant for his or her arrest?
Our office does not give this information over the phone to anyone but the defendant. You can use the public terminal to check for this information.
